Bioactivity of diopside ceramic in human parotid saliva

Composite bone graft of CaO-MgO-SiO2 glass-ceramics and CaSO4 ceramics for boosting bone formation rate

This study develops a composite bone graft of CaO-MgO-SiO2 glass-ceramic and CaSO4 [abbreviated as (CMS)3-x(CS)x] via the sponge replication technique with weight fractions of x = 0, 1, 1.5, 2, and 3. The (CMS)1.5(CS)1.5 composite displays a superior degradability and, a suitable compressive strength of ∼3 MPa, and excellent cell proliferation and differentiation. The in vivo rat femur test in the hybrid-pore (CMS)1.5(CS)1.5 composite granules achieves a higher rate of bone formation, which is ∼2.7 times better than that of the commercial HAP/β-TCP at 12 weeks. Improved expressions of osteocyte and mature osteocyte marker genes, namely (Spp1, Dmp1, and Fgf23), were observed in the (CMS)1.5(CS)1.5 group, indicating a faster differentiation into mature bone tissue. The ions release of (CMS)1.5(CS)1.5 through the ERK1/2 signaling pathway promotes osteogenic differentiation. The high bone generation rate can be attributed to faster active ions release and modified surface topography. This work highlights an excellent bone graft candidate for clinical applications in orthopedic surgery.

Sol-gel synthesis of lithium doped mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles and tricalcium silicate for restorative dentistry: Comparative investigation of physico-chemical structure, antibacterial susceptibility and biocompatibility

Introduction: The sol-gel method for production of mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles (MBGNs) has been adapted to synthesize tricalcium silicate (TCS) particles which, when formulated with other additives, form the gold standard for dentine-pulp complex regeneration. Comparison of TCS and MBGNs obtained by sol-gel method is critical considering the results of the first ever clinical trials of sol-gel BAG as pulpotomy materials in children. Moreover, although lithium (Li) based glass ceramics have been long used as dental prostheses materials, doping of Li ion into MBGNs for targeted dental applications is yet to be investigated. The fact that lithium chloride benefits pulp regeneration in vitro also makes this a worthwhile undertaking. Therefore, this study aimed to synthesize TCS and MBGNs doped with Li by sol-gel method, and perform comparative characterizations of the obtained particles.

Methods: TCS particles and MBGNs containing 0%, 5%, 10% and 20% Li were synthesized and particle morphology and chemical structure determined. Powder concentrations of 15mg/10 mL were incubated in artificial saliva (AS), Hank’s balanced saline solution (HBSS) and simulated body fluid (SBF), at 37°C for 28 days and pH evolution and apatite formation, monitored. Bactericidal effects against S. aureus and E. coli, as well as possible cytotoxicity against MG63 cells were also evaluated through turbidity measurements.

Results: MBGNs were confirmed to be mesoporous spheres ranging in size from 123 nm to 194 nm, while TCS formed irregular nano-structured agglomerates whose size was generally larger and variable. From ICP-OES data, extremely low Li ion incorporation into MBGNs was detected. All particles had an alkalinizing effect on all immersion media, but TCS elevated pH the most. SBF resulted in apatite formation for all particle types as early as 3 days, but TCS appears to be the only particle to form apatite in AS at a similar period. Although all particles had an effect on both bacteria, this was pronounced for undoped MBGNs. Whereas all particles are biocompatible, MBGNs showed better antimicrobial properties while TCS particles were associated with greater bioactivity.

Conclusion: Synergizing these effects in dental biomaterials may be a worthwhile undertaking and realistic data on bioactive compounds targeting dental application may be obtained by varying the immersion media.

Characterizing the Properties of 70Si-30Ca Bioglass-Magnesia Composite as Hard Tissue Replacement Bio-Materials

There are many requirements for biomaterials used in the applications of bone tissue engineering, besides their biocompatibility, they should exhibit acceptable mechanical properties to mimic bone properties. Many research areas in bioactive materials for bone tissue engineering focused on producing new bioactive glass and ceramic compositions containing a trace of inorganic elements (such as Mg, Sr, Cu, Zn) to combine the mechanical properties and bioactivity. In the present study bioglass-MgO composite material has been used to produce Diopside (CaMgSi2O6) by the sintering process. The compact samples were made from a mixture powder of (7, 15)wt% MgO and binary bioglass 70Si-30Ca sintered at 1100 ᵒC for 2 hr. The XRD results confirmed the presence of diopside and wollastonite CaSiO3 in the case of using 7wt.% MgO while the structure was completely diopside at 15 Wt.% MgO. Physical properties, compressive strength, and hardness were investigated, as well as biodegradation behavior and bioactivity in human saliva were inspected. The results confirmed improving the mechanical properties along with increasing MgO as well as proved the ability to form hydroxyapatite on the surface when exposed to human saliva. These findings demonstrated the positive role of MgO in the mechanical properties of 70Si-30Ca bioactive glass besides producing diopside as a good candidate for hard tissue engineering.

Multifunctional hydroxyapatite and hopeite coatings on SS254 by laser rapid manufacturing for improved osseointegration and antibacterial character: A comparative study

Orthopaedic metallic implant's long-term success strongly depends upon the two main factors: osseointegration and antibacterial character. Bioceramic (hydroxyapatite and hopeite) coatings have been proven effective for getting strong osseointegration and antibacterial character. However, deterioration of bioceramic coatings during the implantation period can adversely affect its overall biological performance. To conquer this issue, this research work recommends an innovative process route of laser rapid manufacturing for depositing bioceramic (hydroxyapatite and hopeite) coatings with metallurgical bonding. Microstructure, phase composition, antibacterial efficacy and bioactivity were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, fluorescence-activated cell sorting technique and simulated body fluid immersion test. The promising results obtained from these characterizations and testing establish the new process route laser rapid manufacturing as an effective alternative to deposit multifunctional bioceramic (hydroxyapatite and hopeite) coatings on metallic prosthetic-orthopaedic implants.

Diopside-tricalcium phosphate bioactive ceramics for osteogenic differentiation of human adipose stem cells

Ti scaffolds combined with autologous human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hASCs) have been successfully applied for regenerative cranio-maxillofacial bone therapies. Future challenges reside in regeneration of larger bone defects and displacement of the permanent Ti structure, thus, advanced resorbable scaffolds are needed. Composites of β-Ca₃ (PO₄ )₂ with 80 and 60 wt % of CaMg(SiO₃ )₂ with improved mechanical properties compared to tricalcium phosphate (TCP) materials are presented. Synthetic CaMg(SiO₃ )₂ and a precursor of Ca₃ (PO₄ )₂ were used to fabricate the composites and a reference β-Ca₃ (PO₄ )₂ material by uniaxial pressing and solid state sintering. Optimum sintering temperature of 1225°C was selected. Microstructural analysis and Weibull distributions of tensile strengths determined by the diametral compression of discs test are reported. Thermodynamic simulation of the dissolution process in simulated body fluid body fluid was done. The biological response with hASCs was analyzed using basic and osteogenic media. Viability and osteogenic potential-LIVE/DEAD assay; alkaline phosphatase activity and collagen type-I production-were characterized. The composites have higher tensile strength (>3×) than TCP materials, for similar reliability, and support viability and osteogenic differentiation of hASCs. Resorption of the high strength phase diopside is the slowest. The promising results reported here suggest possible uses of these bioactive β-Ca₃ (PO₄ )₂ -CaMg(SiO₃ )₂ ceramics together with hASCs in bone tissue engineering.

Understanding the composition-structure-bioactivity relationships in diopside (CaO·MgO·2SiO₂)-tricalcium phosphate (3CaO·P₂O₅) glass system

The present work is an amalgamation of computation and experimental approach to gain an insight into composition-structure-bioactivity relationships of alkali-free bioactive glasses in the CaO-MgO-SiO2-P2O5 system. The glasses have been designed in the diopside (CaO·MgO·2SiO2; Di)-tricalcium phosphate (3CaO·P2O5; TCP) binary join by varying the Di/TCP ratio. The melt-quenched glasses have been investigated for their structure by molecular dynamic (MD) simulations as well as by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). In all the investigated glasses silicate and phosphate components are dominated by Q(2) (Si) and Q(0) (P) species, respectively. The apatite forming ability of the glasses was investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy after immersion of glass powders in simulated body fluid (SBF) for time durations varying between 1 h and 14 days, while their chemical degradation has been studied in Tris-HCl in accordance with ISO 10993-14. All the investigated glasses showed good bioactivity without any substantial variation. A significant statistical increase in metabolic activity of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) when compared to the control was observed for Di-60 and Di-70 glass compositions under both basal and osteogenic conditions.

(α'(H))-Dicalcium silicate bone cement doped with tricalcium phosphate: characterization, bioactivity and biocompatibility

The influence of phosphorus doping on the properties of (α'(H))-dicalcium silicate (C(2)S) bone cement was analyzed, in addition to bioactivity and biocompatibility. All the cements were composed of a solid solution of TCP in C(2)S ([Formula: see text]-C(2)S(ss)) as the only phase present. The compressive strength ranged from 3.8-16.3 MPa. Final setting times ranged from 10 to 50 min and were lower for cements with lower L/P content. Calcium silicate hydrate was the principal phase formed during the hydration process of the cements. The cement exhibited a moderate degradation and could induce carbonated hydroxyapatite formation on its surface and into the pores. The cell attachment test showed that the (α'(H))-C(2)SiO(4) solid solution supported human adipose stem cells adhesion and spreading, and the cells established close contacts with the cement after 24 h of culture. The novel (α'(H))-C(2)S(ss) cements might be suitable for potential applications in the biomedical field, preferentially as materials for bone/dental repair.

Crystal structures of CaSiO3 polymorphs control growth and osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells on bioceramic surfaces

The repair and replacement of damaged or diseased human bone tissue requires a stable interface between the orthopedic implant and living tissue. The ideal material should be both osteoconductive (promote bonding to bone) and osteoinductive (induce osteogenic differentiation of cells and generate new bone). Partially resorbable bioceramic materials with both properties are developed by expensive trial-and-error methods. Structure-reactivity relationships for predicting the osteoinductive properties of ceramics would significantly increase the efficiency of developing materials for bone tissue engineering. Here we propose the novel hypothesis that the crystal structure of a bioceramic controls the release rates, subsequent surface modifications due to precipitation of new phases, and thus, the concentrations of soluble factors, and ultimately, the attachment, viability and osteogenic differentiation of human Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hMSCs). To illustrate our hypothesis, we used two CaSiO₃ polymorphs, pseudo-wollastonite (psw, β-CaSiO₃) and wollastonite (wol, α-CaSiO₃) as scaffolds for hMSC culture. Polymorphs are materials which have identical chemical composition and stoichiometry, but different crystal structures. We combined the results of detailed surface characterizations, including environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) back-scattered imaging, and spot-analysis and 2D elemental mapping by SEM-Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX), High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) and surface roughness analysis; culture medium solution analyses; and molecular/genetic assays from cell culture. Our results confirmed the hypothesis that the psw polymorph, which has a strained silicate ring structure, is more osteoinductive than the wol polymorph, which has a more stable, open silicate chain structure. The observations could be attributed to easier dissolution (resorption) of psw compared to wol, which resulted in concentration profiles that were more osteoinductive for the former. Thus, we showed that crystal structure is a fundamental parameter to be considered in the intelligent design of pro-osteogenic, partially resorbable bioceramics.

αTCP ceramic doped with dicalcium silicate for bone regeneration applications prepared by powder metallurgy method: in vitro and in vivo studies

This study reports on the in vitro and in vivo behavior of α-tricalcium phosphate (αTCP) and also αTCP doped with either 1.5 or 3.0 wt % of dicalcium silicate (C2 S). The ceramics were successfully prepared by powder metallurgy method combined with homogenization and heat treatment procedures. All materials were composed of a single-phase, αTCP in the case of a pure material, or solid solution of C2 S in αTCP for the doped αTCP, which were stable at room temperature. The ceramics were tested for bioactivity in simulated body fluid, cell culture medium containing adult mesenchymal stem cells of human origin, and in animals. Analytical scanning electron microscopy combined with chemical elemental analysis was used and Fourier transform infrared and conventional histology methods. The in vivo behavior of the ceramics matched the in vitro results, independently of the C2 S content in αTCP. Carbonated hydroxyapatite (CHA) layer was formed on the surface and within the inner parts of the specimens in all cases. A fully mineralized new bone growing in direct contact with the implants was found under the in vivo conditions. The bioactivity and biocompatibility of the implants increased with the C2 S content in αTCP. The C2 S doped ceramics also favoured a phase transformation of αTCP into CHA, important for full implant integration during the natural bone healing processes. αTCP ceramic doped with 3.0 wt % C2 S showed the best bioactive in vitro and in vivo properties of all the compositions and hence could be of interest in specific applications for bone restorative purposes.

Influence of thermal treatment on the "in vitro" bioactivity of wollastonite materials

The aim of this work was to study the influence of the composition and thermal treatment of the in vitro bioactivity of wollastonite materials obtained by sol-gel method. For this purpose, gels in the system SiO(2)-CaO were obtained applying calcium nitrate and tetraethoxysilicate as precursors. The gels were heated to 700 °C and then sintered up to 1400 °C. The bioactivity of the gel-derived materials in simulated body fluid (SBF) was investigated and characterized. Additional changes in ionic concentration, using inductively couple plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), were determined. The results showed that all materials obtained were bioactive and indicate that the absence of phosphorous in the material composition is not an essential requirement for the development of a Hydroxyapatite layer. The bioactivity was influenced by the thermal treatment, the different phases (glass-phase, wollastonite and pseudowollastonite) as well as the porous size. On the gel-derived materials the bioactivity decreased with the sintering temperature.

Effect of MgO contents on the mechanical properties and biological performances of bioceramics in the MgO-CaO-SiO2 system

The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of the chemical composition on the mechanical properties, bioactivity, and cytocompatibility in vitro of bioceramics in the MgO-CaO-SiO(2) system. Three single-phase ceramics (merwinite, akermanite and monticellite ceramics) with different MgO contents were fabricated. The mechanical properties were tested by an electronic universal machine, while the bioactivity in vitro of the ceramics was detected by investigating the bone-like apatite-formation ability in simulated body fluid (SBF), and the cytocompatibility was evaluated through osteoblast proliferation and adhesion assay. The results showed that their mechanical properties were improved from merwinite to akermanite and monticellite ceramics with the increase of MgO contents, whereas the apatite-formation ability in SBF and cell proliferation decreased. Furthermore, osteoblasts could adhere, spread and proliferate on these ceramic wafers. Finally, the elongated appearance and minor filopodia of cells on merwinite ceramic were more obvious than the other two ceramics.

Bone-Like Apatite-Forming Ability of Ca3(PO4)2-CaMg(SiO3)2 Ceramics in Simulated Body Fluid

In this study a ceramic composite with nominal composition 40 wt% Ca3(PO4)2 – 60 wt% CaMg(SiO3)2 was obtained by solid state sintering of compacts of both synthetic fine powders. The ceramic composite showed a fine grained and homogeneous microstructure consisting of CaMg(SiO3)2 and b-Ca3(PO4)2 grains. The results of X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that, during soaking in SBF, the grains of β-Ca3(PO4)2 dissolved preferably than those of CaMg(SiO3)2, leaving a porous surface layer rich in CaMg(SiO3)2. Subsequently, partial dissolution of the remaining CaMg(SiO3)2 occurred and the porous surface of the b-Ca3(PO4)2-CaMg(SiO3)2 ceramic became coated by a bone-like apatite layer after 7 days in SBF.

Preparation and in vitro bioactivity of novel merwinite ceramic

The ceramic of merwinite (Ca3MgSi2O8) was prepared by sintering sol-gel-derived merwinite powder compacts. The mechanical properties and the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the merwinite ceramic were determined. In vitro bioactivity of the merwinite ceramics was evaluated. Our results showed that the sintered body was single-phase merwinite ceramic, and that its bending strength, fracture toughness and Young's modulus were approximately 151 MPa, 1.72 MPa m(1/2) and 31 GPa, respectively. The CTE of the ceramic was 9.87 x 10(-6) degrees C(-1) and close to that for the Ti-6Al-4V alloy (9.80 x 10(-6) degrees C(-1)). Immersion of the sintered body in simulated body fluid induced surface precipitation of Ca-P rich layers. Cell culture experiment results confirmed that soluble ionic products from merwinite dissolution significantly stimulated osteoblast proliferation, and osteoblasts adhered and spread well on merwinite ceramic surfaces.

Effects of high levels of dietary silicon on bone development of growing rats and turkeys fed semi-purified diets

Two experiments were conducted using a completely randomized design to study the effects of high levels of silicon (Si) supplementation on bone development, structure, and strength in growing rats and turkeys. Rats were supplemented at two dietary Si levels: 0 and 500 ppm; and the turkeys were supplemented at four dietary Si levels: 0, 135, 270, and 540 ppm in semi-purified diets of dextrose-albumin for rats and dextrose-casein for turkeys. The experiments lasted 8 and 4 weeks for the rats and turkeys, respectively. Physical, mechanical, and chemical parameters of bones were measured. All the physical and mechanical measures of bone size and strength were not different (P > 0.05) between treatments in rats and turkeys except the moment of inertia, which was lower (P < 0.01) in rats on the 500 ppm Si level of supplementation. There were small but consistent reductions in structural and strength parameters with Si supplementation which were not wholly due to differences in bodyweights of the rats and turkeys. Although bone mineral composition was not affected (P > 0.05) by Si supplementation, plasma magnesium (P = 0.08) in rats and plasma calcium (P < 0.05) in turkeys were reduced by high levels of Si supplementation. The antagonistic relations of high Si levels with calcium and magnesium were deemed to be the mechanisms through which high Si imposes its deleterious effects on bone size and strength.